Pneumatic action for automatically-operated musical instruments.



R. A. LEADBETER. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1912.

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R. A. LEADBETER. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR AU TOMATIGALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 1912.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 16,

Patented Nov. 24, 1914.

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RICHARD A. LEADBETER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO THE FAR-RAND COMPANY, 015 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR AUTOMATICALLY-OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24:, 1914.

Application filed July 16, 1912. Serial No. 709,686.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Rror-rano A. LEADBE- ran, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of WVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Actions for Automatically-Operated Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to self-playing musical instruments and more particularly to combined manually and automatically operable pianos.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the pneumatic action, and further in various features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a cross section through a piano embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the pneumatic action. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one end of the action. Fig. 4c is a perspective view showing the parts detached.

In the present state of the art in piano action construction there are many variations, which unavoidably occur in different instruments. On the other hand, in the construction of metallic pneumatic actions for the automatic operation of the pianos the parts are formed largely by dies and are therefore of standard sizes and invariable in relative position. In applying the pneumatic action to the piano action it is necessary to adjust the one to the other, and with certain constructions that have heretofore been employed, provision is made for both vertical and lateral adjustment of the pneumatic action with respect to the piano action. This necessitates flexible wind connnections and also complex construction.

Vith the present invention I simplify the construction by dispensing with any mechanical adjustment of the parts and also dispensing with the flexible air connections. The pneumatic action is then correctly positioned with respect to the piano action by the provision of supporting blocks or seats upon the bed, which may be trimmed to adjust once for all the height of the metallic action.

In detail, A is the bed upon which the action is supported; B is the piano action; and C is the metallic pneumatic action. The

latter is preferably formed of a series of parallel tubes D, which are connected at then opposite ends to vertical headers E, forming a common wind connection thereto. One of the headers E is provided with a partition F therein, separating the space into two chambers, one forming the connection to the motor. Heretofore, it has been customary to form the headers of integral castings to which the tubes D are attached by soldering. The attachment of these tubes is however rendered diflicult by reason of the fact that their ends project into the headers and are inaccessible. I have therefore formed the headers in separable sections, one side E being detached from the body of the header, said side being only attached to the tubes D. Thus the detachable side E may be easily soldered to the tubes D, as the ends of the latter are accessible, and after the parts are thus secured the side plate E may be attached to the body of the header by suitable meanssuch as screws G, a suitable packing H being interposed be tween the abutting faces.

As is usual the tracker box I and motor J for operating the music rolls are both mounted upon a shelf K, forming the top of the metallic action. The wind connection between the motor and the channel in the header E is preferably formed by a metallic elbow conduit L, one end of which is seated upon the upper end of the header in communication with a port M therein, while the other end is seated against a vertical face upon the motor frame, and is in communication with the motor supply conduit. This construction avoids the use of rubber tubing, and forms a simpler and more mechanical construction.

To mount the metallic action upon the bed in a position suited to the piano action I provide on the bed upwardly projecting bosses N, upon which the lower ends of the headers E E are seated. These bosses are of a height to provide for the maximum elevation of the pneumatic action, and where it is necessary to lower said action the bosses N are trimmed or cut away to whatever extent it may be necessary. The boss which registers with the header E is provided with ports P and for respectively communicating with the channels Q and Q in the header upon the opposite sides of the partition F, one of these channels leading to the motor and the other to the striker pneumatics. To hold the pneumatic action in position brackets R are secured to the ends of the piano case, and clamping screws S engaging these brackets are adapted to bear upon the top of the action.

The construction described is one which permits of readily attaching or detaching the automatic action from the piano, as the only mechanical adjustment required is the manipulation of the clamping screws S, while the pneumatic connections are automatically established when the mechanical parts are in position.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a inusical instrument, the combination with a casing and a manually operated piano action supported in the casing, of a pneumatic action within the casing, a supporting bed for the action having suitable ports therein, wooden boXes on the support having apertures registering with said ports, and means located beyond the boxes for detachably clamping the action on the same, substantially as described.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination with a manually operable action and the casing therefor, of a pneumatic action comprising parallel tube members, headers at the ends of the tubes having two independent passageways therein, one communicating with the tubes, a motor, and a connection between the motor and a passage in one of the said headers.

3. In a pneumatic action for automatic piano players, the combination with header members divided longitudinally into two passageways, a motor member, means for coupling the motor with one passage of one of the headers, a detachable Wall for the headers having a series of nipple members, and a series of tubes permanently secured in the nipples, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD A. LEADBETER.

Witnesses:

JAMES P. BARRY, DELBERT COLLINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

